UN Security Council Simulation Pre-Session

A training session on Model UN Conference was organized in Tehran by the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in cooperation with the International Studies Journal (ISJ), with support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Iran. The Model UN Conference will simulate the session of the Security Council on “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts”, AVA Diplomatic reports.

The full day session was held at the UN Office in Iran on 21 July 2016 with the participation of more than 30 graduate students, participants of the Model UN Conference.

In her opening statement, the UNIC Director, Dr. Maria Dotsenko, emphasized the importance and usefulness of the opportunities provided by the MUN, where participants can practice their communications, negotiations and consensus-building skills and learn more about UN values.

Dr. Mehdi Zakerian, University Professor and the editor-in-chief of the ISJ spoke about the new educational methods in law and international relations focusing on the Security Council simulation.

Former diplomat, and university professor Dr. Davoud Hermidas Bavand briefed participants on role and responsibilities of the Security Council.

Ambassador Bagher Asadi, former diplomat and a member of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s “Panel of Eminent Persons on Civil Society and UN Relationships,” spoke about art of diplomatic negotiations. He will serve as the President of the Security Council simulation in August and will play a role of delegate of Malaysia. He also briefed the participants about the work of the Security Council and how to hold a successful simulation. He encouraged the group to hold the simulation in English.

Former diplomat and a member of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s “Panel of Eminent Persons on Civil Society and UN Relationships”, Ambassador Bagher Asadi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs School of International Relations professor, Dr. Seyed Hossein Sadat Meidani addressing the Participants

Dublin City University professor and ISJ editorial board member Dr. Paola Rivetti, briefed the participants on the issue of migration and its impact in European countries. Dr. Seyed Hossein Sadat Meidani Ministry of Foreign Affairs School of International Relations professor discussed with the audience the art of compromise and how to draft a Security Council resolution.

Mr. Ali Ahmadi Dasstjerdi UNIC intern explained some points about participation in MUNs with a focus on the rules of procedure. Then Ms. Afsaneh Seifi Naji another UNIC intern shared her knowledge on different terrorist and extremist groups founded in the Middle East.

UNIC interns addressing the participants

Finally Ms. Nazanin Ghaemmaghami, UNIC Reference Assistant, briefed the group on some links to the Basic Facts about the UN and UN at a Glance. She also helped the participants to learn how to navigation through the Security Council website with the emphasis on its provisional rules of procedure, working methods handbook and different SC documents. Persian and English copies of the UN Charter were distributed to the participants.

“I am confident that I will learn a lot about the UN while participating in this Model UN Conference. I am looking forward to do my research and prepare position of Ukraine, country, which I will represent. Perhaps I can organize similar conference in my university later.” said Ms. Esmat Arefi.

During this training session the members of the 15 teams/delegations had the opportunity to exchange views with each other and with the UNIC staff towards preparing for the “Security Council simulation” which will be held on 25 August 2016 at the Tehran Peace Museum.